Posted Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:50pm AEDT
Updated Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:49pm AEDT
The New Zealand Government has agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to eight indigenous Maori tribes to settle grievances dating back more than 150 years.
The tribes say they were victims of illegal land seizures and breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key signed letters of agreement with eight tribes from the bottom half of the North Island and the top of the South Island.
The combined deals mean all historical claims in the South Island are in the process of being settled.
The tribes will receive almost $140 million in compensation and more than $100 million in forest rentals and emission credits.
In the agreement, the Crown has also acknowledged that one of the tribes authored the Haka, but the deal does not give it the right to veto its use or claim royalties.
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/bth/
Maori tribes win millions in 150yo Govt payout
By New Zealand correspondent Kerri Ritchie
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/11/2488446.htm
Posted Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:50pm AEDT
Updated Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:49pm AEDT
The New Zealand Government has agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to eight indigenous Maori tribes to settle grievances dating back more than 150 years.
The tribes say they were victims of illegal land seizures and breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key signed letters of agreement with eight tribes from the bottom half of the North Island and the top of the South Island.
The combined deals mean all historical claims in the South Island are in the process of being settled.
The tribes will receive almost $140 million in compensation and more than $100 million in forest rentals and emission credits.
In the agreement, the Crown has also acknowledged that one of the tribes authored the Haka, but the deal does not give it the right to veto its use or claim royalties.